Calderdale’s significant role in protecting people from the impact and ongoing threat of climate change was showcased at a major regional event.
The Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission chose Todmorden Learning Centre and Community Hub as the location for its full meeting on Wednesday 28 January 2026, recognising the outstanding work that communities do together across the borough to tackle climate change.
The Climate Commission is an independent advisory body that brings together a wide range of people from the public, private and community sectors to support and guide ambitious action on climate and nature across Yorkshire and the Humber.
The meeting came at a crucial time for Calderdale, which is marking six years since the 2020 floods caused by Storm Ciara and the seventh anniversary of its 2019 climate emergency declaration. In line with these milestones, Calderdale Council has launched its annual Climate Action Plan review and its yearly campaign on flood preparedness.
Cllr Scott Patient, Calderdale Council’s Deputy Leader and the Commission’s Vice Chair for West Yorkshire, says:
“The Climate Commission does really important work to help protect communities across the whole region. The climate crisis affects everyone and everything, so the work is about building resilience and becoming more adaptable.
“Hosting this significant meeting in Todmorden was a great opportunity to show regional leaders, climate experts and community partners some real life examples of how we live with climate change in Calderdale, and the brilliant partnership work we do to protect our communities. Our contribution to shaping a greener, more resilient future for Yorkshire and the Humber took centre stage.”
The meeting attendees visited sites in Todmorden that show high levels of sustainability and have been developed or improved to excellent environmental standards, thanks to funding from the UK Government funded Todmorden Town Deal transformation work – including Grade II listed Fielden Hall and Ferney Lee Enterprise Centre.
Attendees also heard about Calderdale’s Climate Action Partnership Influencing Strategy, which aims to drive meaningful change across the region and shows how local insight can create positive change nationally. Calderdale’s Citizens’ Jury gave an update on how pioneering, community-led work is supporting warmer and healthier homes through improvements to energy efficiency.
Asif Husain-Naviatti, Chair of Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission, said:
“It has never been more important to listen to and amplify the voices of communities. Climate action works best when it is grounded in people’s lived experience – understanding real needs, integrating local insight, and shaping solutions that last. Just as importantly, this kind of engagement builds agency: it helps people see what is possible, strengthens collective resilience, and inspires individuals, communities and organisations to take positive climate action together.
“The Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission is well placed to convene partners across government, business and civil society to help translate the experiences of places like Calderdale into lasting climate action across the region.”
It has now been two years since Calderdale launched its first ever Climate Action Plan, created by local experts and communities working together. The annual review of the plan highlights the progress towards net-zero carbon emissions in the borough by 2038. It looks at achievements in influencing decisions, community action, warm and resilient buildings, growth of a green economy, transport and work with land and nature, as well as outlining priorities for 2026.
Flooding is one of the impacts of climate change that Calderdale lives with continually. Taking climate action is therefore an important way to help reduce flood risk and increase resilience.
On 9 February 2020, Storm Ciara brought a month’s worth of rain in 24 hours, flooding around 1,200 properties and causing 10 miles of damage across Calderdale.
The borough has since secured £133 million for flood defence initiatives, resulting in significant progress on seven major flood alleviation schemes expected to protect over 1,390 properties by 2027. The community effort also includes using over 120 sites for Natural Flood Management (NFM) and launching new NFM grant funding to build long-term resilience.
However, as the risk of flooding can never be taken away completely, Calderdale Council is reminding people to be prepared through its annual campaign. This includes encouraging people to check their flood risk, register for free flood warnings, protect their property, and know what to do when flooding happens and how to report a hazard.
Information about flood alerts, reducing flood risk and protecting properties can be found at https://eyeoncalderdale.com(external link)
Nature is a key theme of Vision 34 – the shared, long-term ambition to work towards over the next 10 years to make Calderdale a better place for everyone, based on the stories that unite us. Share your story on the My Calderdale Story website: https://mycalderdalestory.com(external link) or by using #MyCalderdaleStory on social media.